Benjo Rulona

Fr. Julian Bermejo (1777-1851) - El Parroco Capitan

As engraved on the stone:

Hailed by Cebuanos as "El Parroco Capitan" for his courage and military prowess, Fr. Julian
Bermejo was responsible in devising a strong and effective coastal defense system
(baluartes) made of coral stone and lime mortar that served as lookout stations in detecting
the coming of moro pirate ships. Of the estimated forty baluartes (watchtowers) that were
built on the shorelines of Carcar all the way to Santander, twelve of them built in Oslob.
These twelve watchtowers are still existing today. Fr. Bermejo fought and won many wars.
His biggest achievement was the victory over Goranding (Orandin) in a bloody skirmish in
Sumilon Island, an epic story that persists on this day. The victory in this legendary Battle of
Sumilon was reportedly so decisive that it ultimately put an end to moro attacks in 1813.
In 1830, Fr. Bermejo began the construction of the Immaculate Conception Parish Church of
Oslob. He supervised and completed the construction of the church in January 8th, 1847. On
February 1, 1848, the exemplary servant of God and the exceptional military commander
who made inestimable contribution to the lives of the people of Cebu and neighboring
provinces, ended his stint as parish priest of Boljoon. He died in the Monasterio Del Santo
Nio (now Basilica Del Santo Nio) on April 30, 1851 at the age of 74.
Taken on the coast of Oslob during a day trip around Southern Cebu with iGroup.

Fray
Julian Boljoon
Bermejo, OSA El Padre
Capitanof
(The Freeman) | Updated November 9, 2014 - 12:00am

In surveying the Augustinian contributions in Cebu and in the Philippines, we cannot forget the tireless
efforts of Fray Julian Bermejo, OSA in the town of Boljoon and its neighboring settlements. He was
hailed by the old natives as El Padre Capitan. However, more than being el capitan de los baluartes
de Boljoon and a spiritual leader, he was also a great social trailblazer and a literary man.
Fray Julian Bermejo came to the Philippines in November 1896. In the Catalogo of Fr. Elviro Perez,
OSA, however, his name is included as one of those friars who arrived during the wave of 69th Mission
in 1797. He was a native of Pardillo, Ciudad Real, Spain and was born in 1777. At a young age of 20,
Fray Bermejo braved the Philippine mission shortly after his religious profession as an Augustinian in
July 25, 1793 at the Colegio de Valladolid.
Arriving in Manila, Fray Bermejo, spent the rest of his ecclesiastical studies at the Monasterio de San
Pablo (the present San Agustin Monastery, Intramuros, Manila) and then went to Cebu and studied
Visayan dialect at the Convent of Sto. Nio (now the Basilica del Sto. Nio de Cebu).
A newly ordained as priest at that time, the enthusiastic friar was assigned as parish priest in Boljoon,
taking possession the parish with intervals, from 1802-1808, since he was also, according to the
Catalogo, assigned in Argao between 1802-1804. He was in Boljoon until 1808; then followed by 1829-

1830; 1839-1842 and then 1846-1848. In these intervals, Fray Bermejo was also appointed head of a
council (prior vocal) in 1821; a Provincial councilor in 1825 and Prior of Sto. Nio in 1825-1829. In
1837, he was elected a Prior Provincial of the Augustinians in the Philippines but subsequently
renounced the office, after two years, due to his health. But, perhaps realizing that he was called to
serve at some other aspects of the Augustinian missions especially in his pastorate in Boljoon, he was
re-appointed as Prior of Sto. Nio but eventually in 1839 returned as parish priest of Boljoon until
1848.
El Padre Capitan.We remember Fray Bermejo as the builder of the defense system in some parts of
southern Cebu originating from Boljoon itself. It stretches some 96 kms. from Taong (Santander) to
Sibonga and extended to Carcar. It earned him the legendary title El Padre Capitanbecause of his
genius in devising the defensive and offensive systems to oppose piratical incursions of Muslims of
Mindanao. We have to take note that Muslim incursions were very common sometime between
16thand 17th centuries in the Visayan inter-island. Aside from Cebu, notably, southern towns of Panay
also were infested by regular piratical attacks. Consequently, Fray Bermejo was prompted to plan a
protective strategy when he arrived in Boljoon in 1802.
With the church still unfinished, he however took up first the construction of a fort surrounding the
church complex. The surrounding fort is framed by four fortifications which would serve as its lookout.
One of these bulwarks, completed in 1808 is still standing near the sea. It is calledel gran baluarte (it
is also known among the locals as dakungbalay) and it is a two-story block served as look-out, an
ammunition storage and a prison cell.

Outside Boljoons fortifications, Fray Bermejo also encouraged neighboring towns in building
other watchtowers which stretch as far as Carcar town in the north of Boljoon and at the southern
stretch towards Santander town. Remarkably, extant relics of these watchtowers can still be seen
near southern Cebu coastlines. What was the friars great contribution is on rallying the natives in
this vast stretch as a unified defense wall by using these bantayan or watchtowers in
coordinating properly the defense from one post to another. He strategized telegraphic
communications to warn the people by raising flags on the watchtowers so that they can be
alerted and prepare for imminent attacks. He also rallied the natives to the offensive by devising
the same defense stretch to position barangayan sea crafts which would allow counter attacks
by the natives against the Muslim pancos (Muslims own version of sea craft).
In the reports, Fr. Bermejo and the natives have really mastered and had won many times in the
fights on the waters of Boljoon and as far as the island of Sumilon. The Catalogo of Fr. Perez has
affirmed the anecdote that Fray Bermejo and the native warriors, when preparing for offensive
attacks, seemed they were going to afiesta. It only reflected how the friar had successfully
engaged the people to internalize a unified force to protect their towns and residences. His call to
defend his constituents was also heard in the neighboring islands.
To note some of these, Tanjay, Amlan and Sibulan had also their watchtowers as well as in
Siquijor and Panglao islands.
A Social Leader. Fray Bermejo, perhaps few of us know, had led also his parishioners into
economic progress. Aside from being a friar-captain of the fortress, he also encouraged the

people, during the leadership of Gov. Gen. Pascual Enrile, to plant cotton. Cotton was the
economic emphasis during the time of Enrile sometime in 1830s. As reflected in his
correspondences with the Governor General, Fray Bermejo taught Boljoon natives to plant
different kinds of cotton. Notably, he planted varieties of the plant from Fernambuco, Brazil, and
local ones from Ilocos and Balayan, Batangas. He also introduced other agricultural plants like
coffee and cocoa. As an offshoot from his great contribution to social upliftment, Fray Bermejo
had become a lover of botany and therefore, had led him to support a fellow brother in the Order,
Fray Manuel Blanco, in the latters study of Philippine flora. Fray Bermejo used to send some
species of plants for the Flora de Filipinas of Fray Blanco.In his familiarity with native species of
plants, he sent also to the Governor samples of Hanlilimocon, Balao and Cunalaon plants and he
enumerated the products which can be yield from these for everyday purposes.
A Literary Man. Fray Bermejo had contributed also in the field of literature with various topics from
religious literature to practical guidebooks. He translated into Visayan a religious manual entitled
Pagtolonan sa manga manabang sa pagtabang nila sa paganac, guihuar sa binisaya sa Padre
Fr. Julian Bermejo printed in 1838. He also translated parts of the Lagda cun salugdun sa
taoung visaya sa pagkamaligdon, etc a guidebook for a Christian living with appendages from
the meditations of St. Teresa of Jesus and a guide for confessions printed in 1893. He wrote the
Novena sa Patrocinio sa mahal nga Virgen, 1861 and Novena ni San Gabriel Arcangel, 1869.
He also wrote, contributing to the preservation of Cebuano dialect, the Arte compendiado de la
lengua cebuana printed in 1894. He was also credited for a Mapa general de la salmas que
administran los PP. Agustinos en estas Islas Filipinas in 1835.
Fray Julian Bermejo finally, on January 1, 1848, after serving quite long, retired from his post as
parish priest of Boljoon. He died in the Convent of Sto. Nio on April 30, 1851 at the ripe age of
73/74.
Prepared by Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes, OSA

THE DEFENSE STATEGIST, PADRE CURA OF BOLJOON

1804-1848
By DIONISIO A. SY
November 12, 1992 , The Freeman
Situated on the southeastern part of the island of Cebu , the town of Boljoon will celebrate its annual fiesta on November 14,
in honor of its patroness, Nuestra Seora Patrocinio de Maria.
The Beginnings of Boljoon . As more missionaries arrived in the Philippines in the 17 th century and both civilian and
military officials were on hand to extend Spanish domination here, a number of towns were established in the island of
Cebu .
This was done by encouraging Eeven at times forcing Ethe scattered residents of villages to group themselves in denser
groups. The scattered type of settlement which had worked well before the arrival of the Spaniards was not conductive to
civil administration and control, and to religious proselytizing .So the farmers living sparsely near on their cultivated plots and
the fishermen dispersed along the seashore gathered together to form communities.
By 1690 this process of concentration was considered accomplished in Boljoon, and the Augustinian friars established there
a convent of parish.
Church records in 1890 said that Boljoon had a population of 6,674, ranked 35 th among 55 towns in Cebu at the time. The
same source credited Argao with a population of 31,058 persons Ehaving the highest number of residents.
Defense Against Muslim Raids. Throughout its 208-year-history under Spanish regime(1690-1898), Bojoon once became
the central focus of a report to the Spanish governor-general, Gov. Gen. Ricafort. However, Boljoon's parish priest- Fray
Julian Bermejo was the driving force that created the situation which was the subject of the report.
This report said that:
Because of its location, the island of Cebu used to be much harassed by the Muslim (raiders). Today (1826), however, it is
one of the safest (of the Visayan Island ), and muslims are seldom seen near Cebu . E
This happy state of affairs was brought about by the strategy and dynamism of the Augustinian Friar Julian Bermejo. Upon
his arrival in the Philippines , Bermejo was first assigned to the Argao parish in 1802-1804. Then he was transferred to
Boljoon Parish where he stayed from 1804-1836, and again in 1846-1848, or a total of 34 years.
Deeply troubled by the annual raids, Fr. Bermejo successfully motivated the other priests and the townspeople to construct a
series of baluaretes or watch towers from Sibonga to the southmost tip of the island and then northward for some distance
along Taon Strait. Canons were mounted on the baluartes. On months were raiders could be expected (from June to
October when the southwest monson or habagatEis blowing) regular watches were kept by armed men.
Furthermore, Bermejo ordered the construction of an early warning system. Tall poles, on which flags were raised whenever
raiders appeared on the horizon, were planted at distances where the raised flag could be clearly seen by the sentinel.
When Muslim pancos appeared on the horizon, the sentinels raised the flags, and all the able-bodied men stood ready to
face the marauders. The residents were organized into groups, each group serving as guard for a week.
This self-defense network worked so well that in number of encounters the raiders got the worst of it and took to fight.
Northern Cebu towns followed the example successfully worked out in Southern Cebu .
On the Offensive . Fray Bermejo was not satisfied with the relative success of the defense network. He was determined to
take the offensive.
He enlisted the talents of boat carpenters and constructed barangayes (boat specially designed to sail very swiftly to pursue
Muslim boats called pancos). Two small canons were mounted on each barangay. Specially designed bolos were also

issued to those manning the boats in order to effectively counter the Muslim's Krises as hand-to-hand combat ensued when
a barangay got locked to a panco during a naval fight. The town of Boljoon , which became the center of this anti-raider's
organization, had ten such specially designed boats. Other towns had one or two each.
As this developed, the early warning system incorporated the designation of pre-determined spots where the boats would
assemble when raiders appeared on the horizon.
Several encounters subsequently occurred with barangayes manned by Cebuanos pitted against pancos manned by
Muslims. In these encounters, the Cebuano defenders turned attackers inflicted heavy losses on the raiders. Victories raised
the Cebuano's morale. A report claimed that groups on duty boarded the barangayes as if they were going to a town
fiesta.E
Then, one day, Muslim boats appeared on the horizon off Boljoon. Commanded by several datus, the Muslim marauders
headed straight towards Boljoon, determined to fight the core of the Cebuanos' civilian fleet to avenge past losses.
Boljoon's defenders set out to meet them, and a naval battle ensued, ten barangayes against seven pancos.
The fighting lasted for more than three hours, the boats drifting towards Sumilon Island , off Santander town. Three pancos
were sunk, one was captured and the remaining three took flight. They never returned for three decades. They did return,
however in 1853, when the baluartes were no longer studiously manned, when the specially designed barangayes had
surrendered to the elements, and when the intrepid Padre Cura of Boljoon had been laid to rest.
The report to the Governor-General included the financial aspect of Fray Bermejo's work. It noted that:
EFray Bermejo ) put this endeavor into effect with no other resources than his own determination and ability and the
cooperation of his parishioners; he occasioned the royal treasury (that is, the government) no great expenditure. E
(It is also pertinent to mention here the comment of the Jesuit historian Fr. Horacio de la Costa regarding these Muslim raids
in the past centuries. He wrote that:
Because Muslims were Moros at home( Spain ), The Spaniards called Moros the Mulslim Malays of Maguindanao and Sulu.
These were seamaen who lived on trade, and trade in that period was almost indistinguishable from piracy. E
Negotiator For Peace. Boljoon's Padre Cura Bermrjo was also mentioned in historical accounts in connection with the revolt
led by Juan Diyong in 1814.
Some years before this, a rich Chinese mestizo from Parian, Cebu City, succeeded allegedly through, misrepresentation and
the connivance of corrupt government officials , in acquiring pasture lands in Tinaan (Naga), San Fernando and Sibonga. In
reality, these lands were already cultivated by farmers-residents.
As the cows and horses of the rich Chinese mestizo multiplied in number, the problems/suffering of the farmers became
more grave because the animals also fed on the plants of farmers.
Then in 1814, the affected farmers and their symphatizers led by Juan Diyong decided to confront the Spanish civil and
military officials in Cebu City .
Armed with bolos, they started their march from Sibonga. When they reached san Fernando, more marvhers and
sympathizers joined and in Tinaan, Naga still more disgruntled residents swelled their number to several hundreds,
detrmined to settle their problem with bolos if the Sapanish civil and military leaders in Cebu City would refuse to amend the
injustice which caused their suffering.
Fortunately for the peace loving Cebuanos, their patron saint intervened and used the padre cura of Boljoon as instrument
for peace and injustice.
On the midnight prior to the confrontation, a five year old boy awakened Juan Diyong and told him that the bishop wanted to
talk to him before the armed confrontation. The two met, and Diyong acceded to the bishops' admonition that Diyong would

met with the government officials to thresh out matter before blood is shed.
The church leaders, civil and military officials and socio-economic leaders of Cebu then authorized Boljoon's parish priest to
talk with Diyong.
Fray Bermejo with about 300 men, faced Diyong and his several hundreds of supporter. Diyong and his leaders acceded to
the amicable settlement proposed by Bermejo . It specified that all the pasture lands formerly cultivated by farmers would be
returned to them and that the animals of the rich Chinese mestizo would be placed inside fenced areas within one month.
The confrontation ended peacefully, and, Cebuanos believe, through the intercession of Cebu 's patron saint who also used
Fray Bermejo as instrument for peace and justice.
Fray Bermejo was said to have built the church and convent in Boljoon and Oslob, both of strong materials, and three
chapels of wood and nipa.
Likewise he produced some literary works, including one on the Zebuana language. E
However, in the secular history of Cebu , 1804-1848, the parishioners of Boljoon and Fray Julian Bermejo will be
remembered for having successfully repulsed Muslim raiders through a brilliant strategy and community cooperation.

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1575
Rajah Sulayman (also Sulayman III, 15581575,[1]) was the Rajah or ruler of the Kingdom
of Maynila, a pre-Hispanic state at the mouth of thePasig River where it empties intoManila
Bay in what is now thePhilippines after Rajah Lontok. He was also the ruler of Kingdom of
Tondo inheriting from a long line of rulers: Timamanukum, Alon, Gambang, Suko and
LontokKalangitan. Sulayman I was also the ruler of Namayan succeeding from Kalangitan
and Ache. In effect, Sulayman I is the ruler of the united kingdoms of Manila.He was the
kingdom's second to the last indigenous ruler (Lakan Banao Dula is the last), as the state
was absorbed into the Spanish Empire during the latter's conquest of Luzon and the
archipelago.His eldest son, Lakan Banao Dula was crowned Lakan (paramount ruler) or King
when Sulayman I was too sick to function as monarch. Sulayman I is the grandson of Abdul
Bolkiah and the son of Sulayman Bolkiah. Sulayman l however did not use the surname
Bolkiah but instead used the official title of Rajah Soliman Dula l, to mark the new lineage of
the united Manila aristocracy [2][3][4]
Sulayman III resisted Spanish forces, and thus, along with Rajah Matandaand Lakan Dula,

was one of three Rajahs who played significant roles in the Spanish conquest of the
kingdoms of the Pasig River delta in the early 1570s.[5]

Philippine revolts against Spain

1589
During the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, there were several
revolts against of the Spanish colonial government by indigenous Moro,
Lumad, Indians, Chinese and Insulares, often with the goal of re-establishing
the rights and powers that had traditionally belonged to Lumad Timawa,
Maginoo Rajah, Moro Datus, Chinese settler traders and even foreign Criollo
Settlers. Most of these revolts failed because the majority of the local
population sided up with the Spanish colonial government and fought with
the Spanish as foot soldiers to put down the revolts. Its also worthy to
mention that in Mindanao and Sulu, a continuous revolt was sustained by the
Bangsamoro for whole duration of Spanish rule (300 year
Revolts Against the Tribute (1589)[edit]
The Cagayan and Dingras Revolts Against the Tribute occurred on Luzon in
the present-day provinces of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte in 1589. Ilocanos,
Ibanags and other Filipinos revolted against alleged abuses by the tax
collectors, including the collection of high taxes. It began when six tax
collectors who had arrived from Vigan were killed by the natives. GovernorGeneral Santiago de Vera sent Spanish and Filipino colonial troops to pacify
the rebels. The rebels were eventually pardoned and the Philippine tax
system reformed.[3][4]
Sumuroy Revolt (1649-50)[edit]
In the town of Palapag today in Northern Samar, Agustin Sumuroy, a Waray,
and some of his followers rose in arms on June 1, 1649 over the polo y
servicio or forced labor system being undertaken in Samar. This is known as
the Sumuroy Revolt, named after Agustin Sumuroy.

The government in Manila directed that all natives subject to the polo are not
to be sent to places distant from their hometowns to do their forced labor.
However, under orders of the various town alcaldes, or mayors, The Waray
were being sent to the shipyards of Cavite to do their polo, which sparked the
revolt. The local parish priest of Palapag was murdered and the revolt
eventually spread to Mindanao, Bicol and the rest of the Visayas, especially in
places such as Cebu, Masbate, Camiguin, Zamboanga, Albay, Camarines and
parts of northern Mindanao, such as Surigao. A rebel government was
successfully established in the mountains of Samar.

The defeat, capture and execution of Sumuroy in June 1650 delivered a big
setback to the revolt. His trusted co conspirator David Dula sustained the
quest for freedom with greater vigor but in one of a fierce battles several
years later, he was wounded, captured and later executed in Palapag,
Northern Samar by the Spaniards together with his seven key lieutenants.